FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/1/2005

Contact: Seandra Sims 302-573-3731 ssims@uwde.org

UNITED WAY AGENCIES AND STATE LEADERS KICK OFF EARLY START TO CAMPAIGN

Wilmington, Del. – United Way of Delaware’s member agencies officially kicked off their portion of the 2005 United Way Pacesetter Campaign recently, with a gathering at the Community Services Building in Wilmington. Special invited guests included longtime United Way supporter State Senator Margaret Rose-Henry (D-2nd), and State Treasurer Jack Markell, a member of United Way of Delaware’s 2005 Campaign Cabinet.

Mr. Markell reminded the audience of about 50 agency representatives that the work they do is critical to helping United Way fulfill its mission of changing lives in the local community. "You are an inspiration. You work each day to change lives – and here you are raising money to support this campaign. People throughout the state will follow your lead and cite you as a role model. Thanks for all you do," said Mr. Markell. In addition, he commended them for their dedication to supporting the overall United Way campaign, rather than simply focusing on their own individual fundraising endeavors.

The Pacesetter Campaign held annually in late summer, is being chaired this year by Julian “Pete” Booker, a United Way volunteer and president of Delmarva Broadcasting Company. During this pre-campaign effort, United Way of Delaware asks members of the local corporate and nonprofit community to create momentum for the general fundraising campaign by serving as “Pacesetters.”

As a former executive director of a United Way agency, Sen. Henry underscored the importance of supporting United Way-funded programs, especially through donations to the Community Impact, an undesignated pool of donations earmarked for the communities’ most critical health and human service needs. “So many of us have benefited from the United Way-supported programs in our community,” said Sen. Henry. “I like to say that when you support United Way agencies, you’re supporting yourself,” she added.

United Way of Delaware coordinates the charitable giving of individuals, organizations, and employees at nearly 1,000 Delaware workplaces every year, raising millions of dollars in support of its full and affiliate member agencies and Community Impact funded programs. In 2004, Pacesetters raised nearly $3.1 million in advance of the general campaign, surpassing their goal of $1.3 million.

The 2005 Campaign will officially kick off on September 8, with events to be held in each county. For more information, please contact United Way of Delaware at (302) 573-3700 or visit us on the web at www.uwde.org. United Way of Delaware: Impacting our community by focusing on what matters…changing lives.